Plea Agreement Reached in Death of Trooper Bobby Gene DeMuth Jr.

N.C. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Monday

Jan 27, 2014 at 12:01 AMJan 27, 2014 at 11:47 AM

Christopher McCoy Rodgers, 41, plead guilty today in a Nash County courtroom for his actions in the Sept. 8, 2012 death of North Carolina State Trooper Bobby “Gene” DeMuth Jr. Under the final combined plea agreement, Rodgers will be imprisoned for 35 years. Today’s final plea agreement comes on the heels of last week’s sentencing hearing in a Wake County courtroom stemming from a multitude of charges including first degree kidnapping and common law robbery.

RALEIGH —Christopher McCoy Rodgers, 41, plead guilty today in a Nash County courtroom for his actions in the Sept. 8, 2012 death of North Carolina State Trooper Bobby “Gene” DeMuth Jr. Under the final combined plea agreement, Rodgers will be imprisoned for 35 years. Today’s final plea agreement comes on the heels of last week’s sentencing hearing in a Wake County courtroom stemming from a multitude of charges including first degree kidnapping and common law robbery.

The sequence of events that led up to this tragedy began shortly after midnight when a female victim reported that a known male suspect, Christopher McCoy Rodgers, forced his way into her residence in the 5400 block of Morning Creek Way in Raleigh. Once inside, Rodgers forcibly restrained the female and her 21-month-old child and then barricaded them into a room before leaving the scene. A short time later, the victim was able to free herself and fled to a friend’s home where she was able to report the crime.

A follow-up investigation by Raleigh Police Department resulted in the issuance of warrants charging, Rodgers with burglary, common law robbery, two counts of kidnapping, assault on a female, assault on a child and obtaining property by false pretense. Raleigh officers were alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect and his vehicle. Shortly after 7:30 a.m., a Raleigh officer saw the suspect’s vehicle in the vicinity of New Hope Road and Rogers Lane and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the suspect refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle continued through Wake and Franklin counties before traveling into Nash County where Trooper DeMuth was tragically struck and killed while attempting to deploy stop sticks on U.S. 64 near Spring Hope.

“We are pleased in the outcome of this plea agreement; however, we will never truly have “closure” in the death of Gene. I would like to personally thank the District Attorney’s office for their dedication and diligence in this case as well as the Patrol’s continued support and love. There is no way to fill the enormous void that Gene's death leaves in our family. We will always long for his infectious smile, outgoing personality, love, and compassion. Our hearts are forever broken by his death, just as our lives are forever blessed by his life,” said Michelle DeMuth, wife of Trooper DeMuth.

“The senseless death of Trooper Gene DeMuth will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of the Highway Patrol family,” said Colonel Bill Grey, commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Gene died doing what he truly loved; protecting and serving the citizens of this great state. His life was cut short through the senseless act of one individual. However, today, justice was served. We will forever be indebted for the sacrifice Gene made on that fateful day.”

Trooper DeMuth served with the North Carolina Highway Patrol for 12 years and was assigned to the Rocky Mount, Troop C District 1, Highway Patrol Office. He served his country as a United States Marine from 1988 to 1992. He began his law enforcement career in 1994 as a deputy with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office until moving over to the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office. Before joining the Patrol, he was an officer with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Section. Trooper DeMuth is survived by his wife, 9-year-old son, mother, sister, brother, niece and two nephews.

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